Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Government responses to the Committee on Climate Change's 2019 Annual Progress Reports to Parliament

Andrea Leadsom: My Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I wish to inform the House of the laying of the Government responses to the Committee on Climate Change 2019 reports on Reducing UK Emissions and Preparing for Climate Change.2019 has been a pivotal year in the fight against climate change. As the scientific evidence of the dangers of global warming continues to mount, and as people of all ages call for urgent action, the message to governments around the world is clear: act, and act now, to protect the future of our planet.The UK has long been a leader in clean growth – cutting emissions while growing the economy. We were the first to set a long-term emission reduction target in law, under the Climate Change Act (2008), and since 1990 we have reduced emissions by over 40% while growing the economy by more than two thirds. On 27 June, the government adopted legislation to set a new net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for the UK, to be delivered by 2050. This made the UK the first major economy to set a net zero target in law, ending the UK’s contribution to global warming in three decades.That target is an immense challenge for the whole of society – but not only is net zero achievable, it can and will be the growth story of the 21st century. We have a thriving low carbon economy, with turnover in the low carbon sector growing more quickly than GDP in 2017, supporting almost 400,000 jobs across the country.But our success to date is not a reason to delay action - it provides the argument for going further and faster. By taking action to cut emissions we can protect our planet while putting UK businesses at the forefront of the zero carbon revolution, especially as we prepare to embrace the Presidency of COP26 next year.As well as supporting our emissions reduction efforts, our world-leading Climate Change Act continues to provide a robust framework for strengthening our preparedness to climate change, through our National Adaptation Programme (NAP).Today we are also introducing the landmark Environment Bill – the first in over 20 years – which will tackle the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Bill will improve air quality so that our children live longer, restore and recover environmental biodiversity, and move us towards a more circular economy, which will help to ensure Britain can be cleaner and greener for future generations.Exiting the EU does not change the UK’s commitment to domestic and international efforts to tackle climate change. The new independent Office for Environmental Protection, which this Bill will establish, will work closely with the Committee on Climate Change to ensure climate and environmental legislation is respected once the UK leaves the EU.In July this year, The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published their annual Progress Report: “Reducing UK Emissions – 2019 Progress Report to Parliament”; and their biennial “Progress in preparing for climate change”. Today we are publishing Government’s responses to both of these reports, in fulfilment of our requirements under the Climate Change Act.Government response to “Reducing UK Emissions – 2019 Progress Report to Parliament”The Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) annual Progress Report, published in July, recognised the progress that has been made, but also set out some tough messages about the need for further action across the economy. This government has heard that message – from the Committee, from businesses, and from people across the whole country.The Government’s response to the CCC’s report sets out the action that is being taken across all sectors of the economy, working through the strong frameworks we have established in the Clean Growth Strategy and the Industrial Strategy. It also reflects the suite of recent announcements we have made in support of our net zero target. In our response published today, we set out further actions that we will take to deliver net zero, and meet our carbon budgets, including:Ambitious proposals to improve the energy performance of non-domestic buildings – potentially saving businesses around £1 billion per year in energy costs by 2030;Development of a new, holistic Transport Decarbonisation Plan to step up the pace of progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable and innovative transport network; andA proposal to establishing new governance arrangements to drive forward cross-government efforts to deliver the net zero target, potentially including a new cabinet sub-committee on climate change. This builds on what we have delivered over the last year. Since legislating for net zero emissions in the summer, we have announced around £2 billion to support decarbonisation in a range of sectors – including investment in hydrogen and low carbon technology in industry, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and projects to accelerate rollout of carbon capture and storage technology.We recognise the importance of reducing emissions from industry and we have just set out our detailed proposals for our £315m Industrial Energy Transformation Fund which will support industry to invest in energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation technologies.The latest Contracts for Difference auction saw contracts awarded to renewable energy projects that will create enough generating capacity to power around 7 million homes – with the costs of new offshore wind projects falling by a remarkable two thirds between the 2015 and 2019 auctions. This demonstrates the scope for advances in technology to deliver unprecedented cost reduction.And we will set out further detail on how the UK will make progress towards our net zero target in the National Infrastructure Strategy this autumn.In addition to our progress at home, the UK remains at the forefront of international action on climate change. In September, we were formally nominated by our international partners to host the vital COP26 climate negotiations in 2020. We intend to use this role to catalyse ambitious global action to cut emissions further, and harness growing momentum to take us closer to delivering the goals of the Paris Agreement.At the recent UN Climate Action Summit, the Government announced that the UK will double its international climate finance to £11.6 billion in the period 2021 to 2025. In assisting developing countries, we will draw on the breadth and depth of the UK’s expertise to support the transformational and systemic change needed to deliver a net zero world resilient to the risks from climate change.Government response to “Progress in preparing for climate change”In July 2019, the CCC published their third progress report on adaptation, their first on the second National Adaptation Programme (NAP) detailing action from 2018 to 2023. The progress report contains twelve recommendations for Government spanning four of the key themes of the second NAP (published in 2018); the natural environment; infrastructure; people and the built environment, and business, as well as 33 sectoral progress scores (such as water supply, rail, roads, agricultural productivity, amongst others). The CCC highlights areas of good planning and progress as well as areas where they identify the need for further policy development and evidence to support and monitor the success of adaptation.The Government response mirrors the CCC’s progress report. The headline message is that we have made progress on adaptation and broadly accept the recommendations made by the CCC. We will build on this progress to ensure the country is well prepared to face the challenges a changing climate brings. The CCC’s recommendations will be addressed in our current and future policies and programmes such as through the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Agriculture Bill and Environment Bill, amongst other policy areas across Departments. In particular the Environment Bill, introduced today, will include ambitious legislative measures to take action to address the biggest environmental priorities of our age, many of which are linked directly to climate change.At the same time we are demonstrating leadership at a global level on the agenda, driving action as co-lead of the Resilience and Adaptation theme of this year’s UN Climate Action Summit, where a UK co-led Call for Action has been endorsed by 112 countries and counting.We remain grateful to the CCC for their scrutiny, analysis and expert advice, which will be more vital than ever as we set the UK on a firm path to net zero. The challenges of reducing our emissions, and preparing for the changes that climate change will bring, are immense – but the rewards of action will be greater still. This government has listened to the science and the clear message from across society - and we are redoubling our efforts to drive down emissions while seizing the economic opportunities at hand, as we lead the world towards a cleaner, greener, net zero future.


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Department for Education

School Funding Allocations

Nick Gibb: I am today informing you of the details of an announcement made by the Department for Education on Friday 11th October of the further details of school revenue funding for 2020-21. At the Spending Round we announced a total additional investment of £14 billion in schools over the next three years - the biggest funding boost for a decade. This includes £2.6 billion for 2020-21, £4.8 billion for 2021-22, and £7.1 billion for 2022-23 compared to 2019-20. On top of this we are providing £1.5 billion each year to fund additional pensions costs for teachers, bringing the total schools budget to £52.2 billion in 2022-23.This funding will give every school more money for every child – with the biggest boost going to schools that need it most. It means all secondary schools will receive a minimum of £5,000 per pupil next year while all primary schools will get a minimum of £3,750 next year and £4,000 per pupil from 2021-22.On Friday we published the details of provisional allocations for local authorities in 2020-21 through three of the four blocks of the Dedicated Schools Grant: the schools block, the high needs block, and the central school services block. As usual, allocations through the early years block will be published later in the year.The per pupil units of funding for local authorities that we have published will be used to set final allocations when updated pupil numbers are available later in the autumn. As in previous years, there will be further data updates in relation to the high needs block.We have also published notional school level allocations for 5-16 funding, so that schools can understand the amount they attract under the national funding formula. Details of these arrangements have been published on GOV.UK.The figures reflect the features of the national funding formula that we announced on 30 August 2019.For the schools national funding formula, these include:increasing the total funding in the schools block by 5%;increasing the formula funding floor so that all schools will attract at least a 1.84% per pupil gain against their 2019-20 national funding formula baselines. This is in line with the forecast GDP deflator, to protect per pupil allocations for all schools in real terms;removing the gains cap so that underfunded schools attract the full gains they are due under the formula;increasing the core factors in the National Funding Formula by 4%; andupdating the underpinning data used in the calculation of the national funding formula, where more recent data is available.For the high needs national funding formula, these include:increasing the total funding in the high needs block by 12%;increasing the funding floor to 8% per head of population, compared to 2019-20 allocations, to ensure that all areas see substantial gains;setting a limit on the gains under the formula of 17% per head of population; andupdating underpinning data, as for the schools block.We have also published local authority allocations for the central school services block in 2020-21. We have protected the total funding allocated for the ongoing responsibilities that local authorities have a statutory duty to deliver for all pupils in maintained schools and academies. These allocations will continue to be calculated for all authorities using a per pupil formula, the structure of which is unchanged. Local authorities will continue to be protected so that the maximum per pupil reduction in this funding is 2.5% compared to their 2019-20 allocation; and the maximum per pupil gain will be set at 1.94%.As we have stated previously, from 2020-21 we will start to reduce the other element of central school services funding, that some local authorities receive for historic commitments made prior to 2013-14. This is in line with our reforms to move to a fairer funding system. In 2020-21, for those authorities that receive it, historic commitments funding will be reduced by 20%, with a protection so that no authority loses an amount equivalent to more than 0.5% of its 2019-20 schools block allocation. We will continue to unwind this funding in future years, and will provide further detail in due course.The detail of the changes above, and some further technical changes to the national funding formula, are outlined in the accompanying policy document. To note, these changes relate to the 2020-21 NFF. We have not confirmed the details of the NFF for future years.As we have previously confirmed, local authorities will continue to set a local formula to determine individual primary and secondary school budgets in 2020-21. However, we have set out the government's intention to move to a ‘hard’ national funding formula for schools as soon as possible, where every school’s budget will be set on the basis of a single, national formula. We recognise that this will represent a significant change and we will work closely with local authorities, schools and others to make this transition as smoothly as possible. As a first step towards hardening the formula, from 2020-21 we will make it compulsory for local authorities to use the national minimum per pupil funding levels in their own funding formulae, and are currently consulting on our proposals for introducing this change.Last week’s announcements underline how the significant funding boost we have announced will benefit every area in the country and support our continued move towards a fairer funding system – helping every child to achieve their potential, no matter what their background or where they happen to live. This comes as research in the Teacher Workload Survey shows that teachers’ working hours have fallen by five hours per week over the past three years. The findings, taken from a representative survey of over 7,000 teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders, also show that actual teaching hours remain broadly stable. Our continuing investment in education, coupled with a bold reform agenda and the work of Ofsted will bolster the ongoing rise in school standards.


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Leader of the House

The Government’s Legislative Programme 2019

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg: Following yesterday’s State Opening of Parliament, and for the convenience of the House, I am listing the Bills which were announced yesterday:Agriculture BillAnimal Welfare (Sentencing) BillAir Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft BillBirmingham Commonwealth Games BillDivorce, Dissolution and Separation BillDomestic Abuse BillEmployment (Allocation of Tips) BillEnvironment BillEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillExtradition (Provisional Arrest) BillFinancial Services BillFisheries BillForeign National Offenders BillHealth Service Safety Investigations BillHigh Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) BillHistorical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) BillImmigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) BillMedicines and Medical Devices BillPension Schemes BillPolice Protections BillPrisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) BillPrivate International Law (Implementation of Agreements) BillSerious Violence BillSentencing BillSentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) BillTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillTrade BillWindrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill The programme will also include Finance Bills to implement budget policy decisions.Detailed information about each of these Bills can be accessed from the Gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/queens-speech-2019-background-briefing-notes.

Wales Office

Government's Legislative Programme (Wales)

Alun Cairns: The legislative programme for the Second Session was outlined by Her Majesty on Monday 14 October. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Wales. It does not include draft bills, Law Commission bills or Finance Bills. The legislative programme will deliver important reform to domestic issues and deliver benefits across the whole of the United Kingdom. The programme includes a series of ambitious reforms and brings forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom. The Government believes strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom - our Union is at its strongest when all four nations work together. The Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure the UK leaves the EU with certainty, continuity and control by working to deliver an unprecedented programme of legislation to date, preparing for all scenarios. The second session legislative programme will build on this by seizing the opportunities EU exit brings. The Government expects that the return of powers from the EU will lead to a significant increase in the decision-making powers for the Devolved Administrations. It will mean that decisions and powers sit in the right place and closer to people than ever before The following Bills will apply to Wales (either in full or in part): Agriculture BillAnimal Welfare (Sentencing) BillAir Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft BillBirmingham Commonwealth Games BillDivorce, Dissolution and Separation BillDomestic Abuse BillEmployment (Allocation of Tips) BillEnvironment BillEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillExtradition (Provisional Arrest) BillFinancial Services BillFisheries BillForeign National Offenders BillHealth Service Safety Investigations BillHigh Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) BillImmigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) BillMedicines and Medical Devices BillPension Schemes BillPolice Protections BillPrisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) BillPrivate International Law (Implementation of Agreements) BillSentencing BillSerious Violence BillTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillTrade BillWindrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill The Government will continue to work constructively with the Welsh Government to secure the legislative consent of the National Assembly for Wales where appropriate.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Domestic Abuse Support

Robert Jenrick: My Department has published the government response to the consultation on the Future Delivery of Support for Victims and their Children in Accommodation-Based Domestic Abuse Services.Through the consultation we heard from victims and survivors, service providers, local authorities and other public agencies, as well as other professionals who support victims including children every day. All responses to the consultation were carefully considered – I am grateful to everyone who took the time to respond, providing vital insight and evidence.The majority of respondents agreed with the proposals as set out. Government will therefore introduce a statutory duty on local authorities, placing clearer accountability on local areas to ensure the needs of survivors and victims within safe accommodation are met in a consistent way across England. By introducing this statutory duty, we want to ensure all victims of domestic abuse are able to access support within safe accommodation that meets their specific individual needs. All victims, no matter their background, should feel safe and supported as they recover from this terrible crime.Under this new duty Tier One authorities (County Councils, Metropolitan, and Unitary Authorities, and the Greater London Authority) in England will be required to convene a Local Domestic Abuse Partnership Board to support them in undertaking local needs assessments and developing local strategies. Tier One authorities will also be required to effectively commission services based on a robust needs assessment, and report back to Government demonstrating how they have met the needs identified. The duty will also require Tier Two authorities in two-tier areas (District, City, and Borough Councils) to co-operate with the lead Tier One authority.To support local authorities, my department will develop statutory guidance which will set out government’s expectations of local authorities in delivering this duty. We will also establish a ministerial-led National Steering Group to monitor and evaluate delivery of support within safe accommodation – working closely with the newly appointed Domestic Abuse Commissioner.The full response can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse-in-safe-accommodationThe Domestic Abuse Bill demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting all victims of domestic abuse. The Government will now introduce this new statutory duty as an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill at the earliest opportunity, to enable proper parliamentary scrutiny.My officials will continue to work closely with local authorities, national organisations, and specialist domestic abuse service providers to ensure the proposals are effectively delivered on the ground.I am also pleased to announce ahead of this new duty coming into force in 2021, that we are confirming today a further domestic abuse accommodation services funding round for 2020/21. Councils will be invited to bid for a share of £15 million – a 20% increase on 2019/20 – to ensure essential support services are able to run for those that need them.A copy of the Government response to the consultation will be placed in the Library of the House.

Scotland Office

Government's Legislative Programme (Scotland)

Mr Alister Jack: The legislative programme for the Second Session was outlined by Her Majesty on Monday 14 October. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft bills, Law Commission bills or Finance Bills. The legislative programme will deliver important reform to domestic issues and deliver benefits across the whole of the United Kingdom. The programme includes a series of ambitious reforms and brings forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom. The Government believes strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom - our Union is at its strongest when all four nations work together. The Government’s domestic programme will, for example, include the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill which will ensure consumers can be confident in the knowledge that their tips are going to the staff they as intended across the UK. The Environment Bill will also put environmental ambition and accountability at the very heart of government. The Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure the UK leaves the EU with certainty, continuity and control by working to deliver an unprecedented programme of legislation to date, preparing for all scenarios. The second session legislative programme will build on this by seizing the opportunities EU exit brings. This includes the Fisheries Bill which will provide the powers to build a sustainable and profitable fishing industry, which is in the best interests of the whole of the UK and future generations. The Government expects that the return of powers from the EU will lead to a significant increase in the decision-making powers for the Devolved Administrations. It will mean that decisions and powers sit in the right place and closer to people than ever before. The following bills would apply to Scotland (either in full or in part). Agriculture BillAir Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft BillBirmingham Commonwealth Games BillDomestic Abuse BillEmployment (Allocation of Tips) BillEnvironment BillEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillExtradition (Provisional Arrest) BillFinancial Services BillFisheries BillForeign National Offenders BillHealth Service Safety Investigations BillHigh Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) BillImmigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) BillMedicines and Medical Devices BillPension Schemes BillPolice Protections BillPrivate International Law (Implementation of Agreements) BillTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillTrade BillWindrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill In line with the Sewel Convention, the Government will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

Northern Ireland Office

Government's Legislative Programme (Northern Ireland)

Julian Smith: Government's Legislative Programme (Northern Ireland)  The legislative programme for the Second Session was outlined by Her Majesty on Monday 14 October. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Northern Ireland. It does not include draft bills, Law Commission bills or Finance Bills. The legislative programme will deliver important reform to domestic issues and deliver benefits across the whole of the United Kingdom. The programme includes a series of ambitious reforms and brings forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom. The Government believes strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom - our Union is at its strongest when all four nations work together. The Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure the UK leaves the EU with certainty, continuity and control by working to deliver an unprecedented programme of legislation to date, preparing for all scenarios. The second session legislative programme will build on this by seizing the opportunities EU exit brings. The Government’s top priority in Northern Ireland is the restoration of the devolved institutions at the earliest possible opportunity. The Government will continue to work with all of the parties in Northern Ireland, and the Irish Government, as part of the ongoing talks process to support the return of the Executive. In the absence of an Executive the Government remains steadfastly committed to ensuring good governance in Northern Ireland. We will continue to take action to protect the continued delivery of vital public services where necessary. The following Bills contained in the programme are likely to apply to Northern Ireland (either in full or in part): Agriculture BillAir Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft BillBirmingham Commonwealth Games BillDomestic Abuse BillEnvironment BillEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillExtradition (Provisional Arrests) BillFinancial Services BillFisheries BillForeign National Offenders BillHealth Service Safety Investigations BillHistorical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) BillImmigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) BillMedicines and Medical Devices BillPension Schemes BillPrivate International Law (Implementation of Agreements) BillTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillTrade BillWindrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill In the absence of a devolved Assembly and Executive we will continue to work constructively with Northern Ireland Departments to deliver legislation which will apply to Northern Ireland.

Department for Exiting the European Union

General Affairs Council, October 2019

Stephen Barclay: I will attend the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 15 October 2019 to represent the UK. The UK Government has decided that from 1 September until exit day, UK Ministers and officials will only attend EU meetings where the UK has a significant national interest in the outcome of the discussions.The provisional agenda includes:Preparation of the European Council on 17-18 October 2019 and European Council follow-up The Council will discuss preparations for the October European Council, for which the agenda includes: the Multiannual Financial Framework; the next Institutional Cycle; Climate Change; and other items such as specific foreign policy issues. The European Council (Art 50) will meet in EU27 format to discuss the state of play regarding Brexit. Ministers will also take stock of the implementation of previous European Council conclusions.Enlargement and the Stabilisation and Association Process - Albania and the Republic of North MacedoniaEnlargement is the process whereby European countries are able to join the European Union. The October General Affairs Council will consider whether or not to open EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. The Commission’s 2018 and 2019 enlargement Progress Reports recommended opening negotiations with both.Any Other Business: Transparency seminar (Brussels, 24 September 2019)The Finnish Presidency will update the Council on a Transparency Seminar that it hosted on 24 September. The UK did not attend the seminar due to the current policy on attending EU meetings. This is largely an information-only item. Finland is keen to enhance the openness and transparency of the legislation process. They are seeking to facilitate discussions between Member States and the institutions during their Presidency, with the aim of reaching agreement on a number of measures to make the Council’s work more transparent.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Indemnity for Special Representative on UK Victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 4 October formally commenced the appointment of Mr William Shawcross as his Special Representative on UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism. This appointment reflects HMG’s strong commitment to support all UK victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism. The Special Representative has been asked to focus, in the first instance, on investigating the feasibility of calculating a precise number of people affected and the compensation due to them from the Libyan Government. This is an important preliminary step. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) believes that, provided the Special Representative acts honestly, reasonably, in good faith and without negligence in the performance of his obligations under the terms and conditions agreed with him, he should be indemnified against any liability arising from this role. The FCO is therefore notifying Parliament of its intention to undertake this contingent liability. Further details are set out in a Departmental Minute laid today.


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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Environment Bill

Theresa Villiers: Today, I am introducing the Environment Bill into the House of Commons, which will play a crucial role in delivering on the Government’s goal that this will be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it.The case for tackling biodiversity loss and climate change is clear. The accelerating impact of climate change in this country, and around the world, is of profound public concern, as is the damage to nature with species loss, habitat erosion and the disappearance of cherished wildlife.The Environment Bill, building on the vision set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, will help to manage the impact of human activity on the environment, create a more sustainable economy, and enhance well-being and quality of life.A key aim of the Bill is to engage and empower citizens, local government and businesses to deliver environmental outcomes and create a positive legacy for future generations. It will also support recent legislation on reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by reducing waste, improving air and water quality, and restoring habitats to allow plants and wildlife to thrive.The Bill will transform our environmental governance by creating a new, world-leading system tailored to a UK context once we leave the EU. It will introduce new statutory cycle of monitoring, planning and reporting on the environment, coupled with a framework to set long-term legally binding targets, on biodiversity, air quality, waste and resource efficiency, and water. This will deliver significant environmental improvement and ensure that the Government can be held to account for its actions.This new framework will ensure that environmental principles are embedded in Government decision-making and policy development.A new public body – the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) – will act as an independent watchdog. The OEP will provide scrutiny and advice, and enforce the delivery of environmental law (including on climate) by public authorities where necessary.Together, these measures form a robust framework which will maintain and enhance our environmental standards as we leave the EU. They will enable the UK to take a global lead on environmental concerns such as nature recovery and the protection of biodiversity.The Environment Bill takes action to address some of the biggest environmental priorities of our age: air quality, nature recovery, waste and resource efficiency, and water resource management. For example, mandatory biodiversity net gain principles will ensure that new developments enhance biodiversity in conjunction with Local Nature Recovery Strategies which will help restore wildlife rich habitats to enable ecosystems to recover and thrive.The Bill strengthens the ability for local authorities to tackle air quality issues. It will also require Government to set a legally-binding target for the pollutant with the most significant impact on human health, fine particulate matter. The Bill improves water company planning for future water supply and wastewater and drainage networks, enabling more resilient solutions to drought and flooding in a changing climate.Extended Producer Responsibility and powers to set resource efficiency standards will drive a shift in the market towards products that can be more easily recycled, re-used and repaired. This, and other measures in the Bill, will play a significant part in addressing public concern about plastics waste and pollution.This Environment Bill is a landmark commitment to protecting and improving the environment for future generations. It grasps opportunities created from leaving the European Union and I hope that it will deliver a step-change in environmental protection and recovery.